Proud.

Best viewed large.

My wonderful study of the Newent Sparrows continued today. You could tell they'd had a bit a of a weekend with all that wind and rain - they were very eager to sit on top of the hedge and socialise with each other. And catch any rays that were on offer. So much so in fact that I was able to get close enough to take some cracking pictures. This chest-out little lad shaded it as the best.

I'm looking forward to the first wave of fledglings with the telltale yellow surrounds to the beak and the general hilarity in watching them. Such a humbling experience watching the parents continue to fuss over them and then do it all again later on in the year (if lucky of course).

The rain mentioned above means that the Severn in Gloucester is about a foot below overtopping at the moment and not supposed to stop rising until Wednesday. I genuinely hope it doesn't affect the folk who live nearby like it did in 2007. The road in the middle of that picture is my way to work and just below the central cluster of trees is the Castlemeads substation that flooded and knocked out power to much of Gloucester.

The story of the battle to save Walham - the site that provides most of Gloucestershire with its electricity - is well worth listening to.

Anyway, still not planted out those seedlings. :(